A Vision of God – 2019
Every Christian needs a vision of God to convict him and to move him to serve.
A Vision of God
“Acquaint now thyself with him, and be at peace: thereby good shall come unto thee.”
Job 22:21
“Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.”
Psalm 4:4
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.”
John 17:3
Introduction:
1. God graciously led us to Isaiah 6, where Isaiah had one of the best visions of God found in the Bible.
2. Isaiah was first convicted, then forgiven, then solicited, and then charged to preach a key message.
3. This passage had convicted and energized many before, but it is easy to lose love and zeal for God.
4. Human nature shows its depravity and perversity by losing serious conviction at an alarming rate.
5. There is nothing in the world, our flesh, or suggested by the devil to maintain a right vision of God.
6. What can we do to maintain conviction and a growing hatred of sin and desire for righteous service?
7. We need a vision of God that we continually resort to for condemnation of sin and motive to serve.
8. Since scripture compares them, we should compare our view of God to any other ruler (Mal 1:6-14).
9. There is no pleasure on earth that even comes close to having a vision of God and walking with Him.
10. There is nothing to share with another person that comes close to sharing knowledge and joy of God.
11. A detailed view of His attributes … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/knowing-god-complete-01-08-2018.pdf.
12. A detailed description of Jesus Christ … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/he-is-altogether-lovely-2.pd
EXAMPLES OF VISIONS OF GOD
A. God appeared to Abraham often – no wonder he had great faith (Ge 12:7; 17:1; 18:1).
B. Hagar saw the God that saw her, which comforted her greatly in distress (Gen 16:13).
C. Jacob saw and heard God’s glory that brought about his commitment (Gen 28:10-22).
D. Moses requested and saw a vision of a portion of God’s glory (Ex 32:11-23; 33:1-8).
E. Job was very convicted after seeing God by His description of Himself (Job 42:5-6).
F. Isaiah saw God’s glory and holiness, creating conviction and commitment (Is 6:1-8).
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
A. Holiness, the beauty of God, which Isaiah saw (Psalm 27:4; 29:2; 96:9; I Chr 16:29).
B. Glory, which summarizes other beautifying attributes of God … infinity, invisibility, immortality, independence, immensity, intelligence, invincibility, immutability, incarnation, etc. (Psalm 72:19; 113:4; 148:7-13)
C. Power, glory, and lovingkindness are listed by David seeing God (Ps 63:1-6; 107:43).
D. Strength is His, and His ability to do anything is a matter to remember (Palm 105:4).
E. Terror is part of a proper vision of the Bible God (II Cor 5:9-11; Eccl 12:13-14); the fear of harmless things in life cause precaution or preparation, but what about God?
F. Works of all kind, whether in the Bible, creation, providence, or life (Ps 46:8; 66:5-7; 111:2); His works are far superior to athletic, academic, or financial works of men.
G. Love is what He has chosen to show us, and it should change us (II Cor 5:14-15); it is a shame that love of another sex can change your life but His love does not move you.
H. Goodness should lead to repentance, as it reveals Him (Rom 2:4; Ps 34:8; Acts 14:17); for you surely appreciate the kindness of others and modify your conduct accordingly.
I. Answered prayer proves His ability, interest, and kindness (Ps 63:5; 116:1-2; 50:15); you would be thrilled if the President answered an email and gave you a mere million!
J. Salvation is how He chose to reveal His wrath/power and glory/mercy (Rom 9:15-24).
WHERE TO LOOK
A. In the sanctuary is where David and Asaph both found God (Ps 27:4; 63:2; 73:17; 68:24; 134:2); we should prepare, pray, and participate passionately to get a vision.
B. Scripture details God’s nature, works, commandments, judgments, promises, Son, salvation, etc. (Exodus 34:5-8; Deut 4:14-19; John 5:39; Eph 3:4; I Cor 2:10-14).
C. Funerals create a house of mourning, far better than the house of feasting (Ec 7:2-6).
D. Creation declares the glory of God and should convict us for godliness (Ps 19:1-6).
E. Providence declares His faithfulness and lovingkindness (Psalm 107:43; Acts 14:17).
F. Storms are a precious thing to see/hear His power and mercy (Nah 1:3; Ps 29:1-11).
G. Nearby is how Paul described the proximity of God to even the Greeks (Acts 17:27).
HOW TO LOOK
A. Prayer – Moses strongly asked; God answered (Ex 33:18-20; Ps 119:18; Luke 11:13).
B. Holy Ghost – walk in the Spirit and request Spirit help (Eph 1:17-19; 2:18; 3:14-19).
C. Resist devil – for he blinds to keep men from seeing God (II Cor 4:4-7; James 4:7-8).
D. Be still – reduce activity and noise; meditate and muse (Ps 46:10; 4:4; 63:6; 143:5-6).
E. Priorities – if you get them out of order, you offend Him (Jer 9:23-24; Mal 1:6-14).
F. Fervency – with whole heart like Joshua did (Jer 29:13; Ex 33:11; Ps 42:1-5; 84:1-2).
G. Christ – you please God honoring His Son, and Jesus reveals Him (Heb 1:3; Jn 1:18).
WHY LOOK
A. Because He said to seek Him (Ps 27:8; 24:6; 105:4; Job 35:5; Isaiah 45:19; Hos 5:15).
B. Because He favors those who delight in Him (Ps 37:4; Jeremiah 9:23-24; Job 22:21).
C. Consider the effect on Job, as a vision crushed his lying self-righteousness (Job 42:6).
D. Consider the effect on Isaiah, as it showed his sins and called to service (Isaiah 6:1-8).
E. Consider the effect on Peter, as it showed his sins and led him to serve (Luke 5:8-11).
F. Because you need Him now and later; there is no help like Jeshurun (Deut 33:26-29).
G. Because Jesus Christ will destroy forever those that know not God (II Thess 1:7-10).
WHEN TO LOOK
A. Look now! Why wait? Seek Him while He may be found and He is near (Isaiah 55:6).
B. You are alive to seek Him, which may save you from wrath (Amos 5:4-8; Zep 2:1-3).
C. A shameful part of our nature is to procrastinate, and wasting one day here is foolish.
D. Always look! It is the great joy of life. Life only brings you closer to death (Ps 105:4).
E. There is nothing in your life to compare; all parts of your life fall far short of this duty.
F. Jesus has not returned yet to allow you time to repent and to seek Him (II Pet 3:9,15).
G. Church attendance, an activity of hypocrites and reprobates, is not nearly enough, for God hates worship without affection and righteousness (Is 1:10-15; 29:13-14; 66:1-4).
Conclusion:
1. The profound pleasure of Isaiah’s vision (to us) and its conviction and commitment (to him) help us.
2. We have studied this subject as a means to walk with God, delight in Him, hate sin, and serve Him.
3. Do not be like the wicked, which never think of God (Ps 10:4), for He will say He never knew them.
4. See our glorious God and Savior in each Bible verse, song, prayer, creature, blessing, judgment, etc.
5. We sing a song that refers to every hue of color in the world is brighter when we see Him behind all.
For Further Study:
1. Knowing God … (extensive sermons of attributes of God) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/knowing-god-complete-01-08-2018.pdf.
2. He Is Altogether Lovely … (collation of outlines about Jesus) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/he-is-altogether-lovely-2.pdf.
3. The Fear of God … (detailed explanatory sermons) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/sermons/god/fear-of-the-lord/sermon.php.
4. Pass Your Sojourning in Fear … (I Peter 1:17) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/sermons/exposition/sojourning-here-in-fear/sermon.php.
5. The Call to Holiness … (blue ribband holiness) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/holiness-fringe.pdf.
6. God in Glory … (sermon outline of Revelation 4) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/god-in-glory.pdf.
7. Holy Spirit in Ephesians … (slides for priority of Spirit) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/holy-spirit-in-ephesians.pdf.
8. Thou God Seest Me … (sermon outline about Hagar) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/thou-god-seest-me.pdf.
9. Walking with God … (simple sermon outline) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/walking-with-god.pdf.
10. Delight in the LORD … (from Psalm 37:4) … https://www.letgodbetrue.com/pdf/delight-in-the-lord.pdf.